Personal Cloud Case Cover With A Plurality Of Modular Capabilities

ABSTRACT

A personal cloud contained in a case for a portable computing device such as a tablet personal computer (PC), mobile phones, portable media players, or the like. The personal cloud case may be fitted with memory, a network connection, two-way wireless charging, external memory slots, external connections and other components for portable personal cloud computing.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application claims priority as a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/831,663, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. provisional patent application having Ser. No.61/705,383, filed Sep. 25, 2012; the aforementioned applications beingincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to mobile computer covers and,in particular, in one or more embodiments, the present disclosurerelates to cases having a plurality of electronic component accessories.

BACKGROUND

There are presently a wide variety of portable electronic devices 102 asdisclosed in FIG. 1A. The portable electronic devices may includecellphones such as the iPhone®, Nexus, Lumia and the like and tabletpersonal computers (PCs) such as the iPad®, Kindle® and similar typedevices. These portable electronic devices are often protected by asimple case cover 104 as disclosed in FIG. 1B. These prior art casecovers 104 typically do not contain any functional components beyond theprotective cover itself.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein include a panel forconnecting to a mobile computing device comprising: a plurality ofattachments capable of coupling the panel to the mobile computingdevice; a plurality of electronic components which are capable ofwirelessly linking to the mobile computing device and independently to alocal network; and a power source coupled to the plurality of electroniccomponents and capable of providing power to these electroniccomponents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a prior art mobile computing device.

FIG. 1B is a front view of a prior art simple case cover for a mobilecomputing device.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a personal cloud case cover (PCCC).

FIG. 2B is a side view of the PCCC of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the PCCC.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a third embodiment of the PCCC.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the PCCC.

FIG. 6A is a front view of a fifth embodiment of the PCCC.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the PCCC of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a PCCC in a cloud/networked environmentutilizing 3G, 4G and similar wireless connections.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the PCCC in another cloud/networkedenvironment system.

FIG. 9 is view of the PCCC operating with a large external monitor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although particular aspects or features of the following disclosure maybe described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/ordrawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited tousage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings withreference to which they are described, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. The functionality and/or the features of the embodiments thatare described may be alternatively embodied by one or more other deviceswhich are described but are not explicitly described as having suchfunctionality/features.

Current mobile computing device covers are limited in theirfunctionality by mainly providing protection from environmental shocksfor mobile computing devices. However, the personal cloud cover case (or“PCCC”) as disclosed in this application by providing electroniccomponent accessories and functionalities to the cover case enhances theability of a mobile computing device located inside the PCCC to providecloud computing services. Cloud computing is the use of computingresources that are delivered as a service over a network (such as theInternet) and which reside in the “cloud”. The mobile computing devicein the case could be an iPad®, iPhone®, PC tablet, Android® basedtablet, TouchPad, Nexus 7®, Slate® or the like.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a PCCC 200 which is shown in an openposition. The case 200 provides a personal cloud to the user and accessto a wireless network (such as 3G, 4G, WiFi, SuperWifi, and similartechnologies) of a mobile computing device (not shown) stored in thecase 200. The case 200 may be made of any material (hard and/or soft)that makes the case lightweight but durable and resilient such asplastic, silicone, ceramic, fabric, leather, steel, aluminum,fiberglass, titanium, Kevlar, or rubber. The case 200 could be acontinuous piece of material with a flexible (or bendable) area 201located between two opposing panels (first panel 202 and second panel204) which pivot together around a compartment 203 for containing themobile computing device. In an alternative embodiment, the case 200could be made up of plurality of attached sections (201, 202 and 204).First panel 202 also has 4 sleeves 202 a to hold the mobile computingdevice in place in the case 200. In alternative embodiments, the mobilecomputing device could be attached to the PCCC 200 using a plurality ofmagnets (instead of the sleeves 202 a) positioned under the mobiledevice, rubber straps or other similar attachment methods.

The first panel 202 is constructed in layers and includes inner firstpanel layer 202 c, outer first panel layer 202 d and embedded circuitboard 206. Typically, from the front view the circuit board 206 cannotbe seen since it is located underneath the first panel layer 202 c shownin cutaway but which is designed to cover substantially the entire firstpanel 202. An antenna 206 a is located on the circuit board 206 and maybe in contact with the mobile communication device wirelessly, throughphysical contact or by connector 202 b. Connector 202 b is optional andin alternative embodiments it would not be present. The antenna 206 awill allow for better transmission and reception on the part of themobile communication device. The antenna 206 a can be a “chip” antenna,printed circuit board (PCB) antenna or the like covering a plurality ofwireless bands (e.g., 400 MHz-3.6 GHz). Alternatively, a PCB antenna maybe used, and the antenna 206 a will be printed directly onto the circuitboard 206. Also located on the board 206 is a two-way wireless chargingunit 208 which is in substantial proximity to the resting place of themobile communication device in the cover 200. The charging unit 208 isdesigned such that when the mobile communication device is in proximityto the charging unit an electromagnetic field generated by the chargingunit pulls the communication device into proper position and alignmentfor optimal charging (i.e., charging coil alignment). The wirelesscharging unit 208 is connected through a bidirectional electrical link210 to power source 212 located on a circuit board 207 embedded in thesecond panel 204. The bidirectional electrical link 210 is an example ofthe plurality of electrical connections that are made throughout thecase 200 but which are not necessarily shown in the Figures. Link 210might be in the form of a ribbon cable so as not to be damaged with theopening and closing of the case 200. The wireless charging unit 208 iscapable of wirelessly charging the mobile communication device withpower received from the power source 212 or wirelessly receive powerfrom the mobile communication device and transfer it to the power source212. The wireless charging unit 208 may operate by magnetic resonance,inductive charging, or power over radio frequency (RF) or similarwireless charging methods. The power source 212 is used to power theplurality of components located throughout the cover 200 and, asdescribed, can also be used as a backup battery for the mobile computingdevice when the voltage in the battery of the mobile computing devicefalls below a predetermined level.

The second panel 204 can be made up of an inner second panel 204 a andan outer second panel 204 b containing the embedded circuit board 207but which typically cannot be seen from a front view since it is coveredby inner second panel layer 204 a. The inner second panel layer 204 acovers substantially the entire second panel 204 but is only partiallyshown in cutaway so as to illustrate the components mounted on thecircuit board 207 in the outer second panel 204 b. It should beunderstood that the inner second panel layer 204 a and the outer secondpanel layer 204 b can be coupled together by a variety of methods suchas ultrasonic bonding, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or solvents. Inalternative embodiments, the inner second panel 204 a may be entirely orsubstantially detachable from the outer second panel 204 b; the innersecond panel 204 a may be a closure flap that is fastened close by meansof adhesive, a snap button, or Velcro or the inner second panel 204 amay not be present at all so as to allow easy access to the componentsmounted on the board 207 in the outer second panel 204 b. The case 200may further be made up of a plurality of modules 214, 216, 218 and 220mounted on the circuit board 207 which allow the PCCC 200 to havemulti-functional capability. The modules may be made of low profilecomponents which help minimize the thickness of the cover. The pluralityof modules may be permanently mounted, may snap-in to the board 207 ormay be some combination thereof. First module 214 may include a wirelesswide area network modem (WWAN). The WWAN could include baseband, a radiofrequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a radio frequency front-end module(RF FEM), Envelope Tracking (ET), Power Management IC (PMIC), and otherconnected components to link the mobile computing device to a mobilenetwork such as a 3G, 4G or future generation network. Second module 216may include a wireless local area network (WLAN) modem for a mobilecomputing device to connect to a local router and then to 2G, 3G and 4Gnetworks. The WLAN modem can be baseband, RFIC, RF FEM and otherconnectivity components. The case 200 may contain near fieldcommunications (NFC) technology which may be used for contactless shortrange communications based on RF identification standards (RFID) usingmagnetic field induction to enable communication between the electroniccomponents in the case 200 over short distances such as a fewcentimeters. In other embodiments, the WLAN modem connection could bemade using wireless protocols such as WiFi, SuperWiFi (i.e., the nextgeneration WiFi with superior range), Bluetooth, wireless for highdefinition multimedia interface (WHDMI), or the like. Third module 218may be internal storage such as solid-state drives (SSD) or flash memory(e.g., MultiMedia Card (MMC), electronic MMC (eMMC) or the like). Fourthmodule 220 may contain a sensor chip that is able to detect biometricsinputs such as finger prints, eye movement, face shape, and the like.Module 220 can be used for functions such as a security feature forallowing or denying access to the electronic components in the case,gaming, and medical purposes (e.g., measuring blood cell count and thelike). The second panel 204 may also include a smart feature such as asynchronization input 230 (e.g., such as a button, touch screen, or thelike) that allows the plurality of electronic components (e.g., module218) in the PCCC 200 to be synched to other networked devices in thecloud when operated. This input 230 would primarily be used when amobile communication device is not present in the PCCC 200. The input230 may be used to backup data stored in the components of the PCCC 200.Reference 232 in FIG. 2A shows a controller which may be used with themobile communication device or in the absence of the mobile device tocontrol the electronic components in the PCCC 200. For example, in thesynching process when input 230 is operated the controller 232 woulddirect the synching operation.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the case 200 in a closed position. Dataconnection ports 224 and 226 provide communication capabilities to thecase 200. Ports 224 and 226 may be a mini universal serial bus (USB),micro universal USB port or an audio visual (AN) connector such as ahigh definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port and the like. Chargingport 228 can be connected to the grid or other power source to feed thepower source 212.

FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of the PCCC 200. Common numbering is usedin FIGS. 3 though 9 and FIGS. 2A to 2B to denote similar elements. Inthis second embodiment, instead of wireless charging, a docking bay 305having a set of electrical contacts is configured to electrically engagewith the input/output contacts on 5 a mobile communication device. Thedocking bay 305 may be a standard connector that allows the mobilecommunication device to receive power through line 307 from power source217.

FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the PCCC 200. A mobilecommunication device 400 can be connected to a local area or wide areanetwork through wireless modem 402 which may be 3G, 4G, 3G/4G, WHDMI,Bluetooth, WiFi, SuperWiFi, and other wireless standard. Module 404 is areplaceable, rechargeable battery that is charged through line 412 fromthe wireless charger 208 and receives power from mobile communicationdevice 400. Module 404 performs the same function as power source 212 inFIG. 2 but is arranged differently in the case 200 as shown in FIG. 4.The wireless charger 208 may be located on the first panel 202 beneaththe mobile communications device 400. The module 404 can also be chargedfrom a power outlet when the case 200 is plugged in. The module 404 canbe used as a power source for other modules (reference numerals 408 and410 as discussed below) located in the case 200. An embedded memory bank406 includes a plurality of memory modules and is mounted on the secondpanel 204. The memory bank modules may be 500 MegaByte (MB), 1 Gigabyte(GB), 1 Terrabyte (TB) or the like in memory size. Memory slots 410 arecapable of holding additional memory such as removable micro-SecureDigital (micro-SD) memory cards for storage expansion.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the PCCC 200 whichdemonstrates that the plurality of modules are detachable and could betwo instead of three in the case 200. Also, FIG. 5 discloses a wirelessdata connection 512 between the device 400 and memory bank 406 usingWiFi, SuperWiFi or Bluetooth protocols. In alternate embodiments, thedata connection 512 could be a hardwired such as a Universal Serial Bus(USB), microUSB, miniUSB, or HDMI (with the data line being flexiblybendable across the flexible region 201 in the form of a ribbon cable orthe like). In other embodiments, the connection could also be an opticalwireless link or cable such as infrared. The data transfer could bebi-directional to allow for read and write both ways from device 400 tomemory 406 and from memory 406 to device 400.

FIG. 6A is another embodiment of the PCCC with just one panel 500attached to the device 400 through attachments 502. Attachments 502 maybe magnets, clip ins, connectors or some other type of hinge. Theattachments 502 may internally include a plurality of electrical linksto provide power from the power source 212 to the mobile communicationdevice 400 as well as provide data communications between the modules onthe panel 500 and the device 400. The power source 212 may include awireless charging unit so as to wirelessly charge the device 400. Thecharging may take place when the panel 500 is in a lateral positionrelative to the device 400 as shown in FIG. 6A. In an alternativeembodiment, the panel 500 may be folded over and placed in contact withthe device 500 to establish an electrical power link between the powersource 212 and electrical contacts located on the device 400. Also,similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5, a wireless data connection may beestablished between the device 400 and the plurality of modules on thepanel 500 (items 214, 216, 218, 220, and 222). FIG. 6B is a side view ofthe panel 500 showing the connection ports 224, 226, and 228 which servethe same functions as described in connection with FIG. 2B above.

FIG. 7 illustrates the mobile communication device 300 and PCCC 200operating in a cloud (or networked) environment 700. Storage 706, mobilephone 708 and personal computer (PC) 710 are part of the cloud uponwhich the mobile communications device 300 and PCCC 200 can exchangedata and synchronize through a plurality of wireless links 703. The WWANmodem module 214 and the WLAN modem module 216 of FIG. 7 operate in asimilar manner as described in connection with FIG. 2A above. The mobilecomputing device 300 communicates through a bi-directional wireless link701 with the WLAN modem 216 using 81uetooth, WiFi, SuperWiFi and similarwireless standards. In another embodiment, the link 701 may be a wiredlink. WLAN modem 216 then can read and write wirelessly in a localenvironment with storage 706. The WLAN modem 216 can also communicatewith another mobile phone 708 and PC 710. Alternatively, the mobilecomputing device 300 can communicate through WLAN 216 over abi-directional link 702 with WWAN modem 214. WWAN modem 214 cancommunicate wirelessly using 3G/4G protocols over longer distances thanthe WLAN modem 216 with a cell tower 704 and then to the Internet. Inthe environment of FIG. 7, the case 200 is acting as “hotspot”. As ahotspot, the case 200 offers network (e.g., Internet) access over theWWAN modem 214 or WLAN modem 216.

FIG. 8 illustrates another variation of the mobile communication device300 and the case 200 in operation 800. This arrangement allows the localstorage 218 to have access to a plurality of devices in the cloud suchas the communication device 708, PC 710 and storage 706 through localwireless router (or access point) 716. As previously discussed inconnection with FIG. 2A, sync input 230 can be operated when the mobilecommunication device is not present in the case 200 to backup all datacontained in the components in the case 200 to the cloud (e.g., devicessuch as 706, 708, 710 and other devices). Another advantage is that thissystem allows for the formation of a “pass through Internet” from themobile communication device 300 to devices 706, 708, 710 and a network(e.g., the Internet). WLAN modem 216 is connected to memory storage 218through link 712 and is capable of establishing wireless communicationswith both the mobile communication device 300 and the devices 706, 708,and 710. In operation, the mobile communication device 300 establishes awireless connection 701 through WiFi, SuperWiFi, 4G or the like to theWLAN modem 216. Through WLAN modem 216, the communication device 300 iscapable of connecting to the memory storage 218 (e.g., providinginformation or instructions regarding reading and/or writing) whilesimultaneously browsing the Internet through wireless link 703 to accesspoint 716. The term simultaneously as used herein shall mean immediateor nearly immediate succession in time. In another embodiment, theconnection from the mobile communication device to the memory storage218 could be wired. Alternatively, the communication device could besimultaneously connecting to memory storage 218 while communicating withdevices 706, 708 and 710 through wireless links 703. This pass throughInternet feature allows the user to access data stored in the memory 218and browse the Internet simultaneously from a single device (mobilecommunication device 300) or a plurality of devices. The WLAN modem 216is designed to operate in one or more bands and cover one or morewireless standards. The bands may include first and second frequencybands (e.g., 2 GHz and 5 GHz). The WLAN modem 216 may use the first bandfor the transmission of information from memory storage 218 to themobile communication device 300 and the second band for communicationswith the access point 716 (and thereby the Internet).

FIG. 9 illustrates another environment 900 in which the PCCC 200 mayoperate. The PCCC 200 allows the mobile communication device 300 to linkthrough WLAN 216 and wireless link 902 with large external monitor 904using WiFi, SuperWiFi, WHDMI, or the like and display information (e.g.,video, audio, or text) from either the mobile communication device 300,the memory storage or another source (e.g., devices 706, 708, 710) on tothe monitor 904.

In this disclosure, devices that are described as in “communication”with each other or “coupled” to each other need not be in continuouscommunication with each other or in direct physical contact, unlessexpressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need onlytransmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may actuallyrefrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine incommunication with or coupled with another machine via the Internet maynot transmit data to the other machine for long period of time (e.g.weeks at a time). In addition, devices that are in communication with orcoupled with each other may communicate directly or indirectly throughone or more intermediaries.

Although process (or method) steps may be described or claimed in aparticular sequential order, such processes may be configured to work indifferent orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps thatmay be explicitly described or claimed does not necessarily indicate arequirement that the steps be performed in that order unlessspecifically indicated. Further, some steps may be performedsimultaneously despite being described or implied as occurringnon-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the otherstep) unless specifically indicated. Moreover, the illustration of aprocess by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that theillustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modificationsthereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its stepsare necessary to the embodiment(s), and does not imply that theillustrated process is preferred.

The foregoing description and embodiments have been presented forpurposes of illustration and description and are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the embodiments in any sense to the precise formdisclosed. Also, many modifications and variations are possible in lightof the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described to bestexplain the principles of the disclosure and its practical applicationto thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the variousembodiments disclosed herein and with various modifications suited tothe particular use contemplated. The actual scope of the invention is tobe defined by the following claims.

1. A case for a removable mobile computing device comprising: a firstpanel and a second panel capable of forming a compartment for theremovable mobile computing device; the first panel including a chargingunit capable of wirelessly charging the removable mobile computingdevice; a power source coupled to the charging unit and configured toprovide power to a plurality of electronic components mounted on thesecond panel; and wherein the plurality of electronic components includea memory bank capable of being coupled to the removable mobilecommunication device.
 2. The case of claim 1, wherein the memory bankincludes a plurality of detachable memory modules.
 3. The case of claim1, wherein the plurality of detachable memory modules are capable ofbacking up information received from the removable mobile communicationdevice.
 4. The case of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electroniccomponents further include: a detachable WLAN modem module coupled to atleast one of the plurality of components and which is capable ofwirelessly sending and receiving signals to and from a local network;and a detachable WWAN modem module coupled to at least one of theplurality of components and which is capable of wirelessly sending toand receiving signals from a cellular network.
 5. The case of claim 4,further comprising: a circuit embedded in the case which is capable offorming a data link between the removable mobile computing device andthe detachable WWAN modem.
 6. The case of claim 1, wherein the chargingunit is also capable of receiving power from the removable mobilecomputing device and transferring the power to the power source.
 7. Thecase of claim 1, further comprising: an antenna embedded in the firstpanel and capable of coupling the mobile computing device to thecellular network.
 8. The case of claim 1, further comprising: a sensorchip configured for medical purposes.
 9. The case of claim 1, furthercomprising: a module for measuring blood cell count.
 10. The case ofclaim 1, further comprising: a sensor chip configured to detectbiometric inputs selected from the group consisting of: fingerprints,eye movement, and face shape; and wherein the sensor chip provides asecurity function to deny unauthorized access to the plurality ofcomponents.
 11. The case of claim 1 wherein the second panel includes aninner second panel layer and outer second layer panel layer with asecond panel circuit board located in between and wherein the secondpanel circuit board has a detachable WLAN modem module and memorystorage mounted thereon; and wherein the memory storage is capable ofconnecting through the WLAN modem module to a network.
 12. The case ofclaim 4, wherein the WLAN modem is configured to operate in a pluralityof bands and wireless standards, the plurality of bands including afirst band and a second band; the first band is used when the WLAN modemis transmitting information from the memory storage to the mobilecomputing device; the second band is used when the WLAN modem istransmitting and receiving the wireless communications from the network;and wherein the second band is greater than the first band.
 13. The caseof claim 1, wherein the first panel includes magnets capable ofattaching the removable mobile computing device to the case andpositioning the mobile computing device for charging by the chargingunit.
 14. The case of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electroniccomponents include a controller which is configured to synchronize thememory bank with at least one other networked device.
 15. The case ofclaim 1, wherein the memory bank is wirelessly coupled to the removablecommunication device.
 16. The case of claim 1, wherein the power sourceis a replaceable, rechargeable module capable of receiving charge from apower outlet.
 17. A detachable panel for a mobile computing devicecomprising: the panel capable of being coupled to the mobile computingdevice through a plurality of attachments; the panel including acharging unit capable of wirelessly charging the mobile computingdevice; a power source configured to provide power to a plurality ofelectronic components mounted on the panel; wherein the plurality ofelectronic components include a memory bank capable of being wirelesslycoupled to the mobile communication device; and a WLAN modem modulecoupled to at least one of the plurality of components and which iscapable of wirelessly sending and receiving signals to and from a localnetwork.
 18. The detachable panel of claim 17, wherein the attachmentsare magnetic and include a first internal electrical link to providepower from the power source to the mobile computing device and a secondinternal electrical link to provide data communications between themobile computing device and the memory bank.
 19. The detachable panel ofclaim 17, wherein the panel is located in a lateral position to themobile computing device when attached to the mobile computing device.20. The detachable panel of claim 17, wherein the panel is capable ofbeing placed in contact with the mobile computing device to establish anelectric power link between the power source and electronic contacts ofthe mobile computing device to charge the mobile computing device.